Field desorption imaging of insulator surfaces: high-resolution images of calcium fluoride epitaxial layers

Field desorptionrevaporation microscopy data on calcium fluoride and diamond coatings on ultra-sharp silicon tips as well as on lithium fluoride and uncoated silicon tips are presented. FDM images of calcium fluoride coating reveal facets and zone lines typical for fcc metals. Perspectives of field desorptionrevaporation microscopy of the coatings of insulating materials on conductive tips and of laser-enhanced FDM are briefly discussed. q1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved